After Action Report – Op Takedown Reloaded
Saturday Jan. 21st, 2007
Written by: Matt “Downtown” Brown
Note: I know this might be removed from some boards so it will be further archived at;
www.teammegaforce.net/Board ,
www.forum.mnairsoft.org ,
www.wiairsoft.com/forums ,
www.midwestairsoftgroup.com ,
www.heairsoft.com , and
www.midwestairsofters.com for posterity.
Opening Thoughts:
Well I was contacted by “Breech” from Team Megaforce (IL) about this event back in December. He was very excited about this event so I looked into it. Many of you know that I tend to travel to many games throughout the year and have played in facilities like this many, many, times. So I was able to get some “duty trades” from work and got a large group of friends from IL, WI, and MN together to come to this event. Are excitement though was starting to dwindle shortly after signing up.
Shortly after registering, Ryan from Red Dawn Airsoft (RDA) pm’d me on his message boards saying hello and asking for some assistance as this event was getting bigger than expected. I offered some suggestions and really never heard anything back. I thought that was kind of rude, but I cannot control what other people do. They asked and I was happy to help.
Anyway, we got access to their “private POD Area” on their message boards. What we found were tons of locked topics. Many players started to introduce themselves and people started asking questions about the event on their boards. What many POD members (me included) got was a:
“Just relax my brother, on mission day you will know what to do.” – Kojak January 5, 2007
Or
“Here is something that bugs me, if everyone would take the time to read the game rules and the POD mission outline IN DETAIL most of these questions would be answered. And really, what is the problem, we are going to show up, get a tour of the school while we do the mission briefing, and everyone will know what to do. So if your taking time off of work, or driving a long ways, or both, you are doing it because you love to play airsoft, which we all do! So let’s all cut out the negativity, and get ready to play some airsoft. Read the outline and the rules and if you still have a question then start a new thread and we will answer it. thanx, Kojak.... “ – Kojak January 9, 2007
Now these are just some of the quotes from “organizers” of this event. There were many more like these and some were even deleted after their message boards went down for a few days while their server was repaired or domain renewed. Regardless, the flow of information was horrible.
Pre-Game:
We all woke up from our Friday Night hotel bar excursion feeling pretty excited. Well almost everyone
, I was still recovering from my fight with the porcelain god. B_rik was also feeling my pain; his arse was bruised from all of the quarters that were bounced off of it by the “grinding grandma’s” in the bar.
0800 (approx.)
When we arrived in the lobby I was shocked to see something that I was hoping to never see. In the lobby was a group of 10 guys in full tactical gear with sidearm holstered. This just totally blew my minds. How can grown adults be so irresponsible with these types of “toys”? It is a good thing that police were not called and people were arrested. Anyway, it was time to move onto the RDA Store located about 10 minutes north of the hotel. I am not trying to be a dick here to those guys. But in recent month Airsoft has started to become center stage on many levels with municipal governments. Last thing we want is to see our fun hobby banned.
0830 (approx.)
When we arrived at the RDA store, I was greeted by 21st Century Tactical Owner, Bill Mathes. I got to know Bill and his crew at the first Codename Thunder Event 3 years ago. Bill and I have formed a personal and Professional relationship during that time. So it was good to see my old friend again.
I went to the counter and signed my waiver and took a look around. It was a nice store that is being housed in the back of Bill’s other business until Ryan can get a new storefront. But it was nice to see a nice Airsoft shop here in the Midwest.
One thing I noticed was the lack of matching names with waivers. This might have been done, but while I was there, it was not. So that made many people feel that non-registered people could arrive and play at will.
0930 (approx.)
We then made the 15-20 minute drive further North to the school. When we arrived at the site we were told that POD team would stage in the Auditorium. We brought in all of our gear and began to set up shop.
Chrono’ing
About 20 minutes after arriving at the school, we were told that we should grab all of the guns we planned on using and bring them into the gym for chrono’ing. When we got in line, it was apparent that each player was taking an average of 3-5 minutes. We had approx. 60 players that needed to chrono. When it was my turn, it was easy to see what the problem was. There was one chrono graph in the shower room located off the side of the gym. An event this size should have had at least 4 chrono stations with people manning them. What I did like is they put .2’s into an empty magazine to ensure that people are not cheating. Another nice thing would have been to have empty magazines for the standard guns (AK, M4, G36). That would have saved me from wasting bb’s I loaded the night before. It took well over an hour to chrono all POD players.
We then were told to gather in the auditorium again and get geared up. DHS was arriving on site and once they were done doing their chrono’ing, we would begin the game. A short time later we were all told to gather our gear and make our way up to the second floor. No mention of a safety briefing. When one RDA Safety officer was asked if we were going to have a briefing, the only answer I got was, “I don’t know….Hurry up and get ready…”
MISSION #1
We made our way up to the second floor and put our gear in the respawn area. In the respawn area I noticed a nice boom box with speakers pointed towards the door (more to come on that later…). The 2nd floor was pitch black (little light in the center area) and we were told to watch out for trip wires and booby traps. The trip lines were flashbang simulator heads that were drilled out and 201 shotgun primers had been installed. So when the spoon went flying, the charge would go right off. We were given minimal direction as to what was going on. Some players that were assigned a squad went and did their own thing and others just stood around. After about 40 minutes of standing around on the 2nd floor, we finally were told the game was starting in 2 minutes. About 5 minutes later we were told game on (Air horn blew).
One of the stairwell teams made contact right away with DHS members. Suddenly, we heard Bill Mathes scream at the POD guys to stop firing. He said the game had not started and we were not to fire. When told that the game had indeed started, players began to argue. We then told everyone to stand down and game was off again. We waited about another 10-15 minutes and then the game was indeed on. That is when I heard the sounds of AC/DC Thunderstruck coming from our respawn room. While I thought it was a cool touch, it was not cool that it was in the “Goggle free zone” with the door open. Several players immediately went to our leader and told them of this serious safety violation, all he said was…”IT STAYS ON!” The funny thing was there was a sign stating the rules for the respawn area. One of the rules stated that the door will remain closed. Another player went to a safety monitor with the issue and again, was given the cold shoulder. Finally, someone went in and just shut the thing off. Our leader finally posted a guard at the door to prevent people from entering the room and shutting the radio off. The radio was finally turned off a short time later, unknown by whom.
Game play was much of what you would expect…one team getting bogged in the stairwell and one getting bogged at the bottom. From my point of view, it was an equal until we were finally given the OK to take the battle to the DHS Team. Once that happened, POD pushed and pushed hard on several stairways, clearing the lower floor lobbies.
During this whole time, several RDA/21st tactical Staff members were throwing flashbang simulators. Some of which landed on peoples heads and shoulders. One hit a player’s shoulder and he pushed it away just before it went off near the players head. Once actually hit a player in his Kevlar helmet leaving a dent in it. While the sound was very cool, what a liability this was for RDA and 21st Tactical.
Anyway, I worked my way back up to the second floor after clearing a first floor lobby with my crew. I then hooked up with several other players only to hear that we had to retreat back. This was an obvious script move! Well, one of the Minnesota players did not want to give up a freebie and decided to run up and take some cover ½ ways down the hall. Our leader and several of the safety monitors were yelling at this player. The player got up and started to walk back to us when our glorious leader took it upon him to shoot this player twice in the head! I am sure this was because he did not follow the retreat order. This to me was uncalled for and very unsafe!
Anyway, shortly after that the battle ended and we were told to stand down. Lunch was due any minute and we would resume in about an hour. Well lunch did not arrive for another 30-40 minutes and we ended up taking about a 2 hour lunch break. During the break I was hearing a lot of people bitching about the lack of a safety briefing, the very close shots people were taking (anywhere from 1-4 feet), and all of the blind firing. Again, these are things that should have been addressed in a safety briefing and we would have all been on the same page.
It should also be noted that the game started 1.5-2 hours late! While no games start on time, this was a little too long of a delay.
Mission #2
Mission 2 began much like Mission #1. We were told to hurry and get to the second floor because the game was going to be starting. One thing we noticed was these little bags of bb’s lying all around the hallways. When we asked an RDA safety monitor, she said that those were ammo dumps for DHS. Apparently, the DHS was allowed to bring speed loaders onto the field so they could re-arm during the course of battle. This was something that we at POD were told specifically we could not do. This time we noticed that the lights were all turned on and we waited in the 2 halls for the battle to begin. For this one, we occupied part of the 1st floor and part of the second floors. The team I was with again, did an amazing job holding the hallways so DHS could not get down the halls. This went on for about 15-20 minutes before I and UMPOTA (IL) decided to try and hit the DHS team from the first floor. We took a couple of guys and met up with a large group of POD players on the first floor. They told us that there were 4-5 players in the hallway holding them (about 20) down. UMPOTA and I told these players to rush them because they could not get all of us. So with that, 20 (maybe 25) POD players stormed the hallway taking out the DHS threat. We were met with 3 DHS players holding a double door. They were using all of their weight to keep the door closed. I then told the players to push the doors open and take the 3 players out. As the 4-5 players that were pushing on the doors gained ground, 1 DHS player ran up the stairs, 1 was running away falling down, and 1 stood his ground and was lighting everyone up from about 5 feet away. During this charge, POD players were yelling BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG….It was obvious that the POD players did not want to hurt anyone with close shots. POD members were met with a volley of close shots from the DHS Player that did not want to give up his spot. Again, there were no safety monitors near or if they were, they did not care. Shortly there after, a DHS member fell (slipped on some bb’s on the stairs) and landed in the glass doors. The safety glass held and the player was ok. I stepped up and called a cease fire so nobody else got hurt.
Safety monitors came up and cleared the hallway. We were then told to stand down and re-arm for Mission #3.
Mission #3
This basically involved DHS members being on the 2nd floor having to breech the 1st floor and get into the woodshop and take it out. We started on the 1st floor and DHS was in the stairwells. Again, we held the hallways and they controlled the stairs and the area near the stairs. During one of the battles, I walked right down the middle of the hallway and “BANG” killed a DHS member. Only to have 15 other guns pointed at me. We both called out (It took some convincing to make the other player leave) and I walked back to my respawn point.
Here is where things get interesting. Several times the safety monitors called a cease fire to check things out. So we would stop shooting and we would stay where we were at. Several DHS players though would take advantage of that and move their position. We would also hear DHS Players telling their teammates after being killed what our positions were. Again, this was not cool and should have been taken care of by the safety monitors and should have been done in the briefing.
During this mission the DHS would hide behind the double glass doors. Which we were told could not be done. What they would do is open the doors so a member on the stairs could open fire on the group and then they would close the doors. In an attempt to get them to open the doors so my team could get some fire down range, I stood out in the middle of the hallway and told them to, “BRING IT”. That way when DHS would open the doors, POD would unleash a white hail of BB’s. When they opened the doors, I opened fire and got laced with about 200 shots to the groin area. I shook a little bit and called “HIT/OUT” and walked away. The DHS then closed the door. I then heard a “Cease Fire” and the safety monitor opened the door and said, “HEY! Knock that s**t off….You don’t need to be a dick...” I then asked what I was doing and he said it again. I then walked away only to be followed back into the hallway and have him grab me. We said a few choice words to one another and basically he would not let me leave. I was doing everything in my power not to let loose on this guy. But you could tell he wanted me to do something so he could kick me out. I have never had a referee challenge me before during a game. None the less, this was uncalled for and at no time should a referee or organizer put their hands on anyone!
Suddenly, we saw about 10-15 DHS guys being escorted into our area near the woodshop. The organizers were going to run a “mini-game” because DHS could not break through to get near the woodshop. At the beginning of the game, we placed 6-8 POD in the woodshop. It was so boring that one of the players actually feel asleep and did not wake up until near the end of the game. Anyway, that was a little confusing for the players. But I can see why the organizers did it. 6-8 POD players held DHS the entire time. Finally, the organizers called it! Day #1 was complete.
Ryan then came up to me and asked of what I thought. I stated, “Do you wanted a watered down version or do you want the honest to god truth…” He stated he wanted the truth….I then pulled in Ghostbear from the WAA and we went into another room and talked directly with Ryan for well over an hour. We were honest and told him what should have been done and what the player’s feels of the game were. This is how RDA can get better. We then packed up and all headed back to the hotel for dinner and Bed. We finally got out of there around 2030 hours.
About 2330 hours I received a phone call from Ryan and he asked me if I would be willing to referee on day 2. What? I just traveled 14 hours to referee? He also wanted me to come into the shop and help them with how to improve for day 2. I was exhausted but told him I would come to the shop early in the AM to assist.
Now many people think I did not play day 2 because of the beating I took on day 1. That was far from the truth. I decided at the end of day 1 that I was not going to play day 2 because I could not support an event that was this unsafe. The only way I could ensure the safety of my fellow players and friends was to referee an area. I know what needs to be done and how to do the job. So if it means that I loose $40, then so be it. I did not want to see my friends hurt.
DAY #2
I arrived at RDA and spoke to Bill about the plan for day 2. I voiced my concerns and we agreed certain things needed to be done to try and salvage this event. We decided on a course of action and I left about an hour later.
About 0945 we arrived at the school and were told to move all of our items to the second floor. That would be the POD staging for Day 2. So we gathered all of our gear and moved to floor 2. Just then, we were told to move everything to the gym and everyone would be staging in there for day 2. So once again, it seemed that the right and left hands were not talking. People were already moaning about this. Anyway, everything got moved and we were then told to gather in the auditorium for a briefing. Bill Mathes was very blunt! He told everyone that the event sucked and we wanted to salvage some sort of order. So we gave players the option. (1) We run and gun like yesterday and follow the script. #2 we conduct military style training where there are 4-7 stations that teams will do. This is where we were a little shocked. The group from VA decided they all wanted to go to the second floor and run their own games. Some players decided that is also what they wanted to do. About 50 of the 88 that were present of day 2 wanted to do the training scenarios.
I and BikemanCS decided to monitor the auditorium assault/hostage rescue area. We also went over the proper use of the flashbang simulators (which were only deployed by the NCO/referee’s). Our station went very smoothly, we were given an hour. During that hour, we went through about 10 games with each team switching sides. We did semi-only and pistol only. We did multi-bang and hostage rescue (Live hostages). Everyone was having a good time. Bikeman and I were running like mad men. I even had a safety monitor come up to me asking why I was running so much. My reply was, “That is what I do….” Nobody got hurt and we stepping in on several potential bad situations.
All in all, we had a total of 4 teams come through our station. We then cleared about and hour or so later. We then broke for lunch. After Lunch, we conducted the raffle and some very cool prizes were won by players. It was then announced that Toxic6 had challenged the Hooter Squad to a battle in the low light basement. Hooter squad would assault first and then Toxic 6.
During that battle it wasn’t much of a shock that both teams that defended won! With the exception that Hooter Squad won in much less time. But Toxic 6 did not waste much time either. Bill then asked if we wanted to do a final battle in the auditorium. We joined forces with toxic 6 and took on the entire other force of new players.
During that battle we went up a dug in force in the auditorium. SWAT Called mutual aid several time (Which means we respawn’d a lot). We finally, gained entry and were met with a dead hostage. He was booby trapped to 2 large WMDS and his guts were all over the ceiling. Day 2 was finally over.
I briefly met with Ryan and Bill again and we did a brief AAR of day #2. We all had fun, but some were still upset by the entire weekend as a whole. It was nice to see that RDA refunded some of the players that stayed to ref’s money. Not mine though….which is fine. I just wanted to make sure players were safe and the guys that really needed the money got theirs and a few dollars extra for helping.
All in all, I have to say that this was the worst event I had ever attended. Everything went wrong for RDA. But I have to give them credit for listening to what we told them day 1. I am not an expert, but I do have a lot of experience in this field. I know what works and what does not. Ryan and I spoke in depth about this event and hopefully he knows my feelings.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Now I want to say that I applaud RDA and 21st Tactical for throwing this event. It is a hard thing to do! People will always bitch about game play and rules. But RDA needs to set the rules and post them up front. This way there is ZERO CONFUSION about them before people attend the event. There needs to be a safety briefing! Regardless of how late things running, you cannot bypass this!
Like I told Ryan, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression”. Many people will not attend an RDA event because of this experience. Some will wait and see how their next events are run. Some will be right back out at the next one.
I will be waiting to see how other RDA events go before I decide if I will make another trip. Personally, I know I will be back because I want to see my friends again (Bill, Chief, Ryan). I might not play, but I will come back again for vacations.
I just hope people remember that there were over 100 players at this game. With that, you have over 100 playing styles. s**t is going to happen and you cannot stop it. Even with the best run games out there, there are issues. But you have plans in place to deal with them.
I also hope that people do not take this personally, this is a business! A game was advertised and this was far from what was advertised. I know RDA has already taken these AAR to heart.
Thank you!
Matt “Downtown” Brown
Minnesota Airsoft Association, Member
Tactical Gear USA, Owner
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